PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. Ovarian PRP and Uterine PRP involves using part of the patients’ own plasma, which is obtained by separating the components of a blood sample in a process known as centrifugation. PRP is a high concentration of platelets created from a patient’s own blood. This is a technology that has been utilized and studied since the 1970s. It was first used for regenerative purposes in dermatology, orthopedics, and aesthetic surgery, and has been used to support fertility treatment in recent years. Dr. Aimee offers PRP for patients in her office.
What is intra-ovarian PRP?
Intra-ovarian PRP is a procedure involving infusion of PRP into the ovaries. To be more specific, we inject the PRP transvaginally into your ovaries under ultrasound guidance and under sedation anesthesia.This procedure is also called ovarian rejuvenation.
How is the intra-ovarian PRP infused?
The small amount of blood that is drawn from your veins is spun twice in a special centrifuge to get rich platelets from your blood, which are used for the intra-ovarian procedure.
The intra-ovarian PRP procedure involves injecting the PRP component under ultrasound guidance into at least one ovary using a single lumen needle under sedation anesthesia.
Who is a good candidate for intra-ovarian PRP?
Injection of the PRP into the ovaries gives women a chance to have a baby with their own eggs, and is a good option for:
- Women who have diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).
- Patient’s who do not respond to traditional IVF stimulation therapy medications that are used in Assisted Reproductive treatment.
- Women with symptoms of early menopause, hot flashes, night sweats, and/or vaginal dryness. Intra-ovarian PRP will mitigate the severity of these symptoms.
- The PRP can be used as an isolated therapeutic tool for women who have in-fertility due to low ovarian reserve or in combination with hormonal treatment.
Where do you get PRP from?
The PRP is obtained from your blood draw. The blood is then centrifuged to obtain the rich platelets.
The rich platelets contain growth factors that super-charge the healing and regeneration process in the area where it is injected or infused. Growth factors can stimulate stem cells to grow and become the needed cells in a damaged or dormant area. They can also cause new blood vessels to develop. The blood vessels bring oxygen and nutrients to the desired area.
What are the risks/complications?
Since platelet-rich-plasma is obtained from your own blood, there is little to no risk of rejection or adverse reaction. Thus, PRP therapy is completely natural, very safe, and FDA cleared. Studies have shown positive outcomes after intra-ovarian PRP injections such as improvement in egg quality and quantity.*
What impact will my PRP have on my hormone levels, follicles/eggs, and/or ovaries?
PRP has been shown to improve the function of the ovary. Some studies show that with PRP, we have seen improvement of FSH, LH, estradiol, and AMH hormone levels starting 2 weeks after procedure lasting up to 3 months.
These hormones are all important in fertility. Specifically, these levels relate to the available follicles or eggs a patient has and serve as markers for being able to achieve the desired pregnancy as well as give birth to healthy children.
Some patients have follicles or eggs in the ovary, but they are dormant or in a latent state and they don’t respond to traditional therapy that is normally used in Assisted Reproductive Treatment. Research shows that in some patients, with the administration of PRP, we can activate the dormant follicles and possibly increase the number of follicles and therefore, increase the likelihood of obtaining a healthy egg or eggs that can create a live birth. There is also some inconclusive research that postulates that PRP stimulates the ovarian stem cells to become follicles that can then mature into eggs.
To learn more about PRP, and get a consultation with Dr. Aimee, visit this page
Two Videos About PRP
The Next Big Things in Fertility: PRP, MRT, Polygenic Screening with guest Dr. Catha Fischer
At Home IVF, PRP Ovarian Rejuvenation, & Ozone Sauna Therapy with guest Dr. Zaher Merhi